What should students do about dry eyes?
Nov 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, dry eyes in students may be caused by factors such as eye strain, dry environment, dry eye syndrome, allergic conjunctivitis, or blepharitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, include foods rich in vitamin A and anthocyanins—such as carrots and blueberries—in the diet, and ensure eight hours of sleep each day to allow the eyes to rest fully.
Generally, dry eyes in students may be caused by eye strain, dry environment, dry eye syndrome, allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Eye strain: Continuous reading or homework during breaks, or prolonged use of electronic devices after class, can cause tension in the eye muscles and reduce tear secretion. Follow the "20-20-20" rule—look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of screen time. Perform eye exercises twice daily, and limit electronic device usage to no more than 30 minutes at a time.
2. Dry environment: Low humidity in classrooms due to air conditioning or winter heating causes rapid evaporation of moisture from the eye surface, leading to dryness. It is recommended to use a humidifier in the classroom to maintain humidity between 40% and 60%. Take breaks outdoors during class intervals and drink plenty of water to replenish bodily fluids, which indirectly helps moisturize the eyes.
3. Dry eye syndrome: Insufficient tear production due to weakened lacrimal gland function or excessive tear evaporation can cause symptoms such as dryness and a foreign body sensation. Use prescribed medications such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops, polyethylene glycol eye drops, or carboxymethylcellulose sodium eye drops. Consciously blink more often during daily activities to keep the ocular surface moist.
4. Allergic conjunctivitis: Exposure to allergens such as dust, pollen, or pet dander can cause conjunctival redness, swelling, dryness, and itching. Avoid known allergens and stay away from areas with heavy pollen or dust, such as flower beds or dusty playgrounds, during breaks. Use prescribed medications such as levocabastine hydrochloride eye drops, olopatadine eye drops, or ketotifen eye drops as directed by a physician.
5. Blepharitis: Bacterial infection along the eyelid margin causes inflammation that disrupts meibomian gland function and affects tear quality. Clean the eyelid margins daily with normal saline solution. Apply prescribed medications such as erythromycin eye ointment, tobramycin eye ointment, or tetracycline hydrochloride eye ointment. Avoid rubbing the eyes to prevent worsening of the infection.
In daily life, consume more foods rich in vitamin A and anthocyanins, such as carrots and blueberries. Ensure eight hours of sleep each night to allow sufficient eye rest. Choose a study environment with soft, adequate lighting and avoid reading in overly bright or dim conditions to comprehensively protect eye health.
